NRF Women's Month 2026: Jabulile Makhubele

Every research journey starts with a question. This Women’s Month, the NRF celebrates women driven by curiosity — researchers whose questions, ideas and determination are expanding our understanding of the world around us. From exploring the unknown to deepening our existing knowledge, curiosity remains at the heart of discovery. We thank all participants for sharing their stories with us.

Ms Jabulile Makhubele is a Master’s research candidate in Industrial and Organisational Psychology at the University of South Africa (UNISA). She received funding from the NRF for her Honours studies. Her research focuses on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in recruitment and hiring.

How has your affiliation with the NRF impacted your studies/career?

My relationship with the NRF began through the DSTI-NRF Honours Student Funding, which supported my BCom Honours in Industrial and Organisational Psychology at UNISA in 2023. Receiving this funding was a significant milestone in my academic journey because it enabled me to focus on my studies and develop a strong foundation in research.

The funding gave me the opportunity to deepen my understanding of workplace behaviour, organisational psychology, and research methodology. It also strengthened my confidence in pursuing research as a meaningful career path.

Through my Honours studies, I developed critical skills in research design, data analysis and academic writing, which have shaped my interest in conducting research that addresses real workplace challenges.

The NRF’s support has had a lasting impact on my career aspirations. It inspired me to continue pursuing postgraduate research and motivated me to explore how research can contribute to fairer, more effective and evidence-based workplace practices in South Africa. It also reinforced my belief that investing in young researchers can create opportunities for innovation and positive social impact.

What is your research focus or area of expertise?

My research focuses on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in recruitment and hiring.

Many companies now use AI tools to screen CVs, rank job applicants and help decide who should move forward in the hiring process. These technologies can make recruitment faster and more efficient, but they also raise important questions about fairness, transparency and equal opportunity.

I am interested in understanding whether AI-driven recruitment tools treat candidates fairly and whether they help organisations make better hiring decisions. In simple terms, my research asks: Can technology help us hire better, without unintentionally excluding or disadvantaging certain people?

This research is important because employment opportunities can change people’s lives and hiring systems should be both efficient and fair.

What sparked your curiosity about your field of research, and what continues to keep you curious?

My curiosity began when I noticed how difficult and competitive the job market can be, especially for young graduates.

I became interested in what happens behind the scenes during recruitment and why some qualified candidates are overlooked. As I learned more about Industrial and Organisational Psychology, I became fascinated by the relationship between people, technology and organisational decision-making.

Working in recruitment and administration has made this curiosity even stronger. I have seen how recruitment processes affect real people, and I have become increasingly interested in how organisations can make decisions that are both effective and humane.

What keeps me curious is that technology is constantly evolving. AI is changing the way we work, and I want to understand how we can use innovation responsibly while protecting fairness, dignity and equal access to opportunities.

As a young Black woman in research, I hope my journey encourages other women to believe that their questions matter. Curiosity has opened doors for me, and I believe that research can be a powerful way to solve real-world problems. I want my work to contribute to workplaces that are more inclusive, ethical and fair for future generations.

What is one thing you wish more people understood about your field of research?

I wish more people understood that recruitment is not just about filling vacancies. It is about creating opportunities, shaping careers and influencing the future of organisations and communities.

I also wish people knew that AI is not automatically objective or unbiased. Technology reflects the data and systems it is built on, which means human oversight, ethical decision-making and fairness remain essential.

My field is not about choosing between humans and technology; it is about finding the right balance between efficiency and humanity.

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